Severe overcrowding at BARC: More than 500 dogs and 200 cats in animal shelter's care

Special $1 Pet Adoptions This Weekend to Help Save Lives

HOUSTON- BARC is bursting at the seams with dogs and cats: More than 500 dogs and 200 cats are at BARC Animal Shelter and Adoptions. The shelter's capacity is 550 and over 720 animals are currently in its care. With shelter intake levels expected to remain high throughout the summer, BARC is asking Houstonians to adopt, rescue or foster a pet.

BARC is dropping adoption fees for adoptable dogs (5 months and older) and all cats/kittens to $1 this Saturday, August 5th and Sunday, August 6th. Regular adoption fees are as follows: Dogs are $50, cats and kittens are $20, and puppies 4 months and younger are $75. BARC's pet adoption package includes spay/neuter surgery, age-appropriate vaccinations, a one-year city pet license, and a pre-registered microchip with lifetime registration. The adoption package is the best value in town and could cost hundreds of dollars if purchased independently. Details about BARC's adoption process and requirements are listed on BARC's website. Thanks to Proler Southwest/Sims Metal Management for sponsoring this weekend's event.

“BARC’s capacity is 550 and we are taking in between 100 and 150 animals almost every day,” said Ashtyn Rivet, BARC Deputy Assistant Director. “You can imagine how quickly our shelter fills to the brim. We don’t typically drop adoption fees to $1, but we want to give the animals in our care the best possible to chance to find a new family.”

Pets currently available for adoption can be found on BARC's website, but BARC encourages all Houstonians to stop by BARC at 3300 Carr Street, Houston, TX 77026 and meet each animal in person. BARC is open for adoptions seven days a week from noon to 5:00p.m.

If you are unable to permanently adopt a pet but would like to help animals in need, BARC encourages you to consider becoming a volunteer or foster pet parent at BARC. BARC is especially in need of foster pet parents. Many dogs and cats enter BARC with treatable skin conditions, upper respiratory infections and other treatable conditions that must be taken care of outside of the shelter before adoption. Some puppies and kittens that enter BARC are too young for adoption and must be fostered before they can go home with a permanent family. By getting these animals out of BARC and into foster homes, BARC has more space for additional animals as they enter the shelter.